Everyday sights

Here are a few things we see everyday.

Paraguayans are very skilled at carrying  things on a motorcycle.  We have seen a goat, wooden boards, a TV, a fan, a square plastic table, and of course coolers. 

There are always animals (pigs, dogs, cows, chickens) along the road.  Sometimes a cow or horse are staked in a grassy area to eat for the day; other times they are free to roam like you see in this picture.   
 

I know the first rule of blogging is probably to know what your picture is about, but I don't.   We see these trucks filled with wood regularly, but I have no idea what it is used for.   Not knowing has become a significant part of our life and we are learning to handle the stress of uncertainty.

This woman owns this "despensa" or little shop.  She is sweeping the cement in front of her store because having a clean entrance is very important.

Keeping the area clean of the red dust is a constant task, and we see them sweeping everyday.

These two pictures depict a very important aspect of the Paraguayan culture.  The woman on the left is selling herbs (carried on her head) used in the tea, Terere.  On the right, the two men are drinking Terere from their gaumpa, a cow horn.   First, the tea is packed into the bottom of the gaumpa, then the metal straw with tiny holes is slid into the bottom.  Next ice water is poured in and finally the host or hostess takes the first drink to strain out any lose fibers.   Then the gaumpa is passed around the circle to share.

Terere is important because it is their time for visiting.  Conversation can last an hour or two depending on the time and day.